Podere Lucia

Features

• Expansive position with a breathtaking view of rolling fields and ancient hill towns
• Luminous home with a stylish, eclectic decor
• Excellent layout for up to five couples or one or more families
• Pool
• Several options for dining and relaxing al fresco in sun or shade
• Organic vegetable garden and fruit trees for enjoyment in season
• 45 minute walk to a charming village with two good restaurants, shops, theatre
• Services of a Homebase Abroad Concierge available for the duration of your stay
• Customized transportation, excursions and events arranged on request

Overview

The Val d'Orcia encompasses some of the most striking and important towns and villages in Tuscany. The countryside remains deliciously beautiful -- expansive, vigorous and still rooted in centuries-old traditions of farm life. At Podere Lucia you are just over a hill from Monticchiello and an easy drive to Bagno Vignoni, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano and San Quirico. Siena and Chianti can be reached on country roads. Florence and Rome are only an hour via the fast train from Chiusi. You can head south to the newly redeveloped baths at San Casciano; you can explore Orvieto, Perugia and Assisi. When not touring you can spend slow days walking to town, having a long delicious lunch, and wandering home again for a swim in the pool and drinks under the stars. Monticchiello is charming -- small but complete, with two good restaurants, a local theatre company, the necessary shops and plenty of character. This is a rich life, with much to savor.

Podere Lucia lies across a high hill (600 meters) with a truly breathtaking view of the Val d'Orcia. This is a land of broad open hills, green with meadows and crops, and mottled with grazing sheep. The pattern of color, texture and shape of the land seem to shift with the sun. The fresh air and gentle breezes are calming and invigorating in the same moment. Keep your eye out for falcons on the wing.

The owner of Podere Lucia has lavished much time and attention on creating the beginnings of a botanical garden around her home. A perennial border and rough stone stairs bring you up to the pool (12 x 6 meters) and a straw-topped pergola for shade. A thick lawn extends in a sweep around the house, with banked perennials and young cypresses defining the upper edge of the property, beyond which lies a working field. A bed of white roses define another broad staircase leading to the Annesso. A modest rise brings you past a pond (for irrigation), where the lawn meets the edge of the neighboring farmers field, to the front lawn. Just before the land slopes away is a dense stand of young fruit trees and the abundant vegetable garden. One of the delights of this house is the basket of just-picked produce the gardeners present every morning. Another is standing at various points around the garden and simply taking in the magnificent views in every direction. Pienza, San Quirico, Bagno Vignoli and Radicofani, plus the mountains of Amiata and Cetona are all clearly visible. Between lie the rolling hills, fields and farms.

Podere Lucia comprises two adjacent rectangular buildings, both rebuilt from old farmhouse ruins, joined by a stone-paved courtyard with large cotta pots of oleander, roses and boxwood ringing the perimeter. At one end is a long teak table with matching chairs for dining, opposite are various couches and chairs for lounging al fresco. Double doors all around give guests the chance to move in and out fluidly. A deep and broad pergola along the west facade, shaded with straw and roses, provides comfortable seating on cushioned couches and teak chairs. A second generous table is placed here seating 14. The breeze carries the scents of the garden; rosemary, thyme and lavender.

Layout

GROUNDS

• Hilltop setting with spectacular views of the Val d'Orcia
• Botanical garden
• Pool (12 x 6 meters) with covered pergola and outdoor furnishings
• Vegetable garden available for guest use
• Small pond
• Central courtyard comfortably furnished for sunning or relaxing
• Rose-covered dining pergola with table and chairs for up to 14

CASA GRANDE

GROUND FLOOR

• Double doors from pergola into kitchen (6-burner gas stove, large oven, two small fridges, separate freezer, dishwasher, toaster, toaster oven, food processor, espresso machine); working hearth with traditional Tuscan grill and adjacent food pantry
• Dining area with stairs (partially open) leading to upper level
• Mud room/cantina (with washing machine) for use by the staff
• Living room with working hearth, movie projector and retractable screen, satellite TV (SKY movies), VHS/DVD, CD (sophisticated electronics system, must be handled with care); comfortably seats 11; three sets of double doors (two with screens) to courtyard

FIRST FLOOR

• Winter living room with desk, working fireplace and satellite TV (SKY movies); double doors open to external stairs to lawn
• Double bedroom (king) with screened windows, satellite TV (SKY movies) and ceiling fan; walkthrough closet leads to ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain and open shower stall) with screened windows
• Double bedroom (queen) with screened windows, ceiling fan and ensuite bath (open shower stall with curtain)
• Double bedroom (queen) with ceiling fan and screened windows and ensuite bath (tub, hand-held shower, no curtain; separate W.C.)

ANNESSO

GROUND FLOOR

• 'Great room' with ceiling fan and satellite TV (SKY movies); doorway opens to stairs and pool
• Writer's room with table, fax machine with dedicated line, phone-line for computer (dial-up access); door opens to courtyard
• Double bedroom (twins can combine to form king) with ceiling fan, screened windows and bath (tub with wall-mounted shower area at one end, plus hand-held shower, no curtain) incorporated into room. Enclosed W.C. Door opens directly to the courtyard.
• Double bedroom (queen) with screened windows, walk-in closet and ensuite bath (tub with hand-held shower, no curtain)

UPPER LEVEL

• Stairs with open risers lead to sleeping loft for four (one king, two single beds, mattresses on floor); used with advance permission only; please inquire

Rental Notes

• Rentals can begin on any day, Monday – Saturday. Additional days are prorated, for stays of more than one week.
• Maid comes Monday - Saturday (8:30 - 12:30), puts out breakfast and cleans house. Additional cleaning at E. 15.00/hr.
• Mid-week change of linens.
• Kitchen will be stocked for first day meals; additional shopping on request at E. 15.00/hour plus cost of food.
• Welcome dinner with wine included.
• Additional cooking services on request - minimum charge E. 60.00 per meal (plus cost of food) paid directly to staff. If more than 4 hours are required for shopping, meal preparation and clean up, additional time is charged at E. 15.00/hr.
• Electricity included (up to 150 kWh/week). Overage paid by guest based on usage.
• Water (40,000 liters) provided, adequate for household which is conservative in its use. Refilling of tank at guests' cost if necessary during stay.
• Pool open Easter - October; comfortable for swimming June - September.
• Screens on windows.
• All TVs are connected to same SKY satellite box.
• There are cats on the property who belong to the owner. In the warm months they stay outside but use litter box in utility room. In cold months they do come inside. The owner's dog stays with her in the house when she is in residence. Please inquire for details.

Points of Interest

• Monticchiello: 10 minutes by car, 45 minutes on foot
• Pienza, Montepulciano: 20 minutes
• Chiusi (train station, Autostrada): 25 minutes
• Florence: 1 1/2 hours by car or train
• Rome airport: 2 1/2 hours

Price

Price information available upon request.

Extras

• Heat
• Additional electricity
• Telephone/internet
• Additional cleaning
• Cooking services
• Food, beverages and consumables
• Water (if tank is depleted)
• Refundable security deposit ($2,500)
• Extras deposit (E. 1,000 due on arrival)

Contact Information

Homebase Abroad, Ltd.
Two Hooper Street
Marblehead, MA 01945

Phone: (781) 639-4040
UK: +44-20-7084-6374
Fax: (781) 639-3050

© February 2012 by Homebase Abroad, Ltd. All rights reserved.

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